| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 9, 2026 Contact: Dan Kranz Hernandez for New York (315) 751-1771 press@hernandezforny.com NEW YORK, NY – A new statewide McLaughlin & Associates survey shows broad dissatisfaction with New York’s efforts to combat fraud and abuse in government spending, while voters also favor a Comptroller focused on financial returns and private-sector financial experience. The survey of 800 likely New York voters, conducted August 27-31, found: Not enough is being done to stop fraud and abuse: 71% agree that not enough has been done to detect and prevent fraud and abuse in state government spending. Just 18% disagree. Voters want pension returns prioritized, not DEI: 68% say the Comptroller should prioritize maximizing financial returns for retirees and taxpayers above all else, compared with 20% who say DEI criteria should be weighed alongside financial returns. Private-sector experience beats career politics: By a 51% to 29% margin, voters prefer a private-sector entrepreneur and investor with business and financial management experience as Comptroller over a career politician with government and public-office experience.The findings come as New Yorkers are also showing broad dissatisfaction with Albany’s leadership. In the same survey, 55% of likely voters viewed Gov. Kathy Hochul unfavorably, and 56% said it was time to give someone new a chance as governor. Republican candidate for State Comptroller Joseph Hernandez said the findings show voters are looking for a different approach after Tom DiNapoli’s nearly two decades in office. “Tom DiNapoli has been Comptroller for nearly 20 years, and seven out of ten New Yorkers still say not enough is being done to stop fraud and abuse,” Hernandez said. “The Comptroller is supposed to be the state’s fiscal watchdog. New Yorkers are clearly asking for more accountability.” “Kathy Hochul and Tom DiNapoli have both been part of the same Albany status quo while New Yorkers keep paying more and expecting better,” Hernandez continued. “Voters want their pension fund focused on financial performance, their tax dollars protected, and people in office who are actually accountable for results.” |
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